So, I'm a rather new DM with only 5-6 sessions under my belt, but everyone who has played with me says I am an excelent, though very lethal DM. I am making up a new adventure and trying my hardest to make sure that it is not too deadly, in an attempt to improve my skills. The scenario is as follows.
4 12th lvl PC's traveling through wilderness. (possibly 11th, not quite pegged)
(EL 9) 4 Grimlock barbarian lvl 4 attack, most likely in ambush since they are in rocky terrain.
(EL 9) 5 Orc warrior 4, 2 Ogre Warrior 3 a little down the road
(EL 13) 4 more Grimlock Barbarians again hiding in rocks, along with a Medusa fighter 5, and a Medusa Cleric 6 who join the next round.
(Edit): The Grimlocks and Medusa use the Elite stats, so they have +1 CR each. I used the WotC calculator to figure out the EL's.
I am almost sure unless combat goes longer than 10 rounds in each encounter they will all be seperate. So no reinforcements from the other encounters.
These encounters will all happen in rather rapid succession, as it is an assault on the medusa's cave. The first grimlocks are the guards, the Orcs and Ogres are camping near the cave and are new retainers, the other 4 grimlocks and 2 medusa are in the cave, most likely alerted by battle. I want the PC's to survive, but I also want it to feel lethal. I play a pretty gritty game.
So my question, too tough a setup? Just right? maybe make it tougher. I can see alot of these things dying quickly to a fireball, or they could quickly wipe the floor with things with their high damage output. Suggestions very welcome!
4 12th lvl PC's traveling through wilderness. (possibly 11th, not quite pegged)
(EL 9) 4 Grimlock barbarian lvl 4 attack, most likely in ambush since they are in rocky terrain.
(EL 9) 5 Orc warrior 4, 2 Ogre Warrior 3 a little down the road
(EL 13) 4 more Grimlock Barbarians again hiding in rocks, along with a Medusa fighter 5, and a Medusa Cleric 6 who join the next round.
(Edit): The Grimlocks and Medusa use the Elite stats, so they have +1 CR each. I used the WotC calculator to figure out the EL's.
I am almost sure unless combat goes longer than 10 rounds in each encounter they will all be seperate. So no reinforcements from the other encounters.
These encounters will all happen in rather rapid succession, as it is an assault on the medusa's cave. The first grimlocks are the guards, the Orcs and Ogres are camping near the cave and are new retainers, the other 4 grimlocks and 2 medusa are in the cave, most likely alerted by battle. I want the PC's to survive, but I also want it to feel lethal. I play a pretty gritty game.
So my question, too tough a setup? Just right? maybe make it tougher. I can see alot of these things dying quickly to a fireball, or they could quickly wipe the floor with things with their high damage output. Suggestions very welcome!
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